Category: Journey Devotional

The default landing for all general posts.

Know His Voice

“When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice.” John 10:4

You know what i find interesting, this verse in John is 10:4 and 10-4 is radio speak for “understood” basically, “Okay, I hear you and understand.” i don’t know where the radio call signs come from or what influenced them but i wouldn’t be surprised if somehow it was related to John 10:4. Knowing and recognizing the voice of Yahoshua is key and becoming increasingly critical as we step into the last days. Yes, i do believe we are entering the last of the last days. It is my goal to be as responsive to the voice of Yahoshua as my dog Shiloh is to mine. i want to recognize His voice as so familiar it is like that of my boys recognizing the voice of their dad, me.

We need to be so in tuned with Yahoshua that we hear, recognize, and obey. We may hear a similar voice, but if it goes against Elohim’s Word it is a counterfeit. Now we may hear and we may recognize, but if we do not obey we are only fooling ourselves. We need all three to truly walk with Adonai Yahoshua. Perilous times are upon us as described in 2 Timothy 3 and 4.

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of Elohim, having an idea of divinity, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

This instruction to Timothy is a warning much like that of Yahoshua’s teaching in John 10 — “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. . . He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:10, 12-13)

People who truly don’t know the voice of Yahoshua will follow that of the thief, and the stranger, who brings teachings that tickle the ears but harden the heart. Yahoshua continues in John 10 —

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16)

Who are the other sheep not of this fold? The fold He is talking about is Israel, the other sheep are those out of the gentile nations. We must learn to recognize His voice. Also, notice that we become one! There are not two separate people, but one people of Elohim through Yahoshua. We did not replace Israel, and we are not on a different level or end time path, we are one! Paul instructs Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of El may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The “All Scripture,” Paul is referring to here is what we know today as the Old Testament. Yahoshua never quoted the New Testament, obviously, as it hadn’t been written. All the Apostles, taught as Yahoshua taught, from the “Old.” Yahoshua, is the Word made flesh, as John describes— “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” A few verses down John adds, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory , glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In essence, Yahoshua is the Torah. More than just the five Books of Moses, He is the major and minor prophets, He is the books of wisdom, He is the Word made flesh. He cannot contradict Himself.

Would it not make sense if we are to truly understand the Word made flesh that we look at the whole of the Word. “My sheep know My voice and come to Me.” Do you know His voice? Will you be able to recognize it over the noise, distractions, and falsehoods, that are coming in these last days? Are you willing to follow the Good Shepherd when — “Indeed, all who desire to live a divinely inspired life in Messiah Yahoshua will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:12-13)

We need to to begin to understand Him by reading the very Word He represents. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Do you know His voice?

You are loved,
cj

Great American Prophet

“YHWH your Elohim will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear, according to all you desired of YHWH your Elohim in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let us not hear again the voice of YHWH our Elohim, nor let us see this great fire anymore, lest we die.’ And YHWH said to me: ‘What they have spoken is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which he speaks in My name, I will require it of him. But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which YHWH has not spoken?’ — When a prophet speaks in the name of YHWH, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which YHWH has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” Deuteronomy 18:15-22

It’s election season again in America and the prophets are out in full force with their, “Thus says the Lord,” prophetic word. i am not calling out any by name but instead giving insight as to what the Word says and how to interpret or see who is a false prophet or one who speaks presumptuously, after eating his ham sandwich he purchased from the deli on the Sabbath. Deuteronomy 18:22 says, “When a prophet speaks in the name of YHWH, if that thing does NOT happen or come to pass, that is the thing which YHWH has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.” There are a lot folks who are still following and promoting some of the ‘Great American Prophets’ which pretty much got every aspect of the 2020 election wrong. Yet, folks still cling to every word and are hopeful still about more ‘prophetic words’ that again have yet to come to pass.

The Word says to test: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from Elohim, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

We are called to be like Bereans: “These were more fair-minded than the Thessalonians, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

i don’t know for sure but it seems to me that if YHWH were going to speak to a prophet today, He would do so using His name and not a translated title. He says He is not the Elohim of confusion. He isn’t going to contradict Himself, He isn’t going to mislead His prophets, He isn’t a liar. Yahoshua came in the name of YHWH and was rejected. He warned that others would come in their own name and be received. There is power in the Name of YHWH Elohim (For more on what’s in a name click here).

What causes so many to remain loyal to modern day ‘prophets’? The word is clear about the way to recognize a false prophet. It is also clear of the warnings. For further study here are some verses you can look up on how to spot, and the warnings about listening to, false prophets.

Jeremiah 14:14
Jeremiah 29:8-9
Deuteronomy 13:1-4
2 Peter 2:1-3
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Add more in the comments:

As Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way MORE AND MORE like MESSIAH, who is the head of His body, the church.” Ephesians 4:14-15

Be watchful, be like those in Berea, study to show yourself approved.

You are loved,
cj

Burdensome

“And now, Israel, what does YHWH your Elohim require of you? He requires only that you fear YHWH your Elohim, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of YHWH, which I am commanding you today for your good.” Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Imagine if YHWH in a desire to reconcile humanity to Himself, were to come to earth as a human. To empty Himself, take on the form of humanity in the person of Yahoshua the only begotten of the Father. How wonderful would it be if the Word of Elohim, was made flesh, to reveal and to write the Law on the hearts of man? To teach us not only to keep the letter of the law but also to reveal that it is a heart issue, this also would be wonderful, would it not? To reveal that circumcision of the heart is the fullness of the command and not only that of the flesh.

Oh wait, not only did this happen but it wasn’t even a new revelation it was simply the WORD made flesh to reveal unto creation the Way, is through the heart. It has always been a heart issue. Where is your heart? Stuck so deep in hyper grace that you are missing the keep My commandments part, or is it so stuck, in the keep My commandments part that you missed the Grace through Faith part? The whole of the story is both and, not either or.

“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For YHWH your Elohim is Elohim of mighty ones and the Adon of masters, the great El, mighty and Awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.” Deuteronomy 10:16-17

“Behold, the days are coming, declares YHWH, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares YHWH. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares YHWH, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know YHWH,” for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest declares YHWH. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

Just like every month Elohim creates a new moon, oh wait, the moon isn’t new every month it is the same moon. It is the cycle that is new, a renewing of the moon. The Word made flesh, didn’t come to contradict itself, He came to bring a newness of the cycle. A renewing of the heart and mind. A revelation of what it means to walk with YHWH our Elohim, in the newness of Yahoshua, the Living Word. Yahoshua didn’t bring a new commandment when He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:” The newness was in the example, “Just as I have loved you” (Read more on that here). Yahoshua didn’t come to contradict the Word, He is the Word! We are to be like Him.

Paul writes, “I urge you, be imitators of me, as I am of Messiah.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 — Paul also instructs Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by Elohim and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of Elohim may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — When Paul wrote this to Timothy he was talking about the Torah and the Prophets, he was referring to the ‘Old’ Testament specifically. In fact if we only had Deuteronomy we would still have the gospel message just without the fullness of Messiah revealing it and writing it on our hearts.

“You shall love YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5 — “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am YHWH.” Leviticus 19:18

Peter writes, “And count the patience of our Adonai as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Adonai and Savior Yahoshua Messiah. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 15-18

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1,14 Elohim is not a contradiction. The Word is not a contradiction. Yahoshua is not a contradiction.

The Word reveals that there is:
Blessing in Obedience
Victory in Obedience
Eternal life in Obedience
Obedience of:
Heart, mind, body, will, finances, future.

Let us imitate Paul, who kept the Sabbath, kept the feasts, and observed the Torah, for he himself said, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” For Messiah Yahoshua is the very WORD we keep when we walk with Him in fellowship, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

“By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim and obey His commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:2-3

You are loved,
cj

Work in Progress

He’s still working on me
to make me what i ought to be
it took Him just a week to make
the moon and stars, the sun and the earth, and Jupiter and Mars
how loving and patient he must be
cause He’s still working on me

This song by Joel Hemphill, is one i know very well, or did know very well; As i sang it probably over a hundred times on our family concert tour and various concerts, when i was a kid. We are all a work in progress and if you think otherwise you might need to reexamine yourself. Often we get to a point where we don’t want to admit that we have faults out of fear of what others might say or think. Worse, that fear steams from those inside the Church! This should not be so. We should be able to communicate with one another openly and honestly.

The Word is full of instruction on building one another up, and allowing the Holy Spirit to instruct us. So that we grow in Messiah. i have several favorite passages of Scripture, Micah 6:8, is not only a favorite it is my life verse: “He has shown you oh man what Elohim requires of you, to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him.” i strive daily to act justly, to side on in the way of mercy, and to walk humbly with Adonai Yahoshua who is one with the Father. Part of being humble is acknowledging that we are not perfect. It is this humility that allows for growth. Another one of the passages that really give me great hope as it should you is Philippians 1:6 — “And I am certain that Elohim, who began the good work within you, WILL continue His work until it is finished on the day when Messiah Yahoshua returns.”

We need to stay connected to the source of our growth, Yahoshua, through the work of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t easy. Especially when the world is full of challenges and obstacles to our faith. Just look at the world right now, it is a sad place, war, deadly disasters, and just today another School shooting tragedy. These things can and have shaken the faith of many. It brings out the carnal nature in us, to hate, to curse, to seek comfort from worldly things. We might stumble or fall but the question is will you get up? Philippians 3:13-14 — “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Elohim in Messiah Yahoshua.”

The keys to growth although simply stated are not simply kept — but to press on in . . . Repentance is mandatory. It requires recognition of sin, and a willful turning away from sin. Another key to growth is understanding, not just the human nature but understanding that Elohim desires us to walk with Him in holiness through Messiah Yahoshua and the power of the Holy Spirit which enables us to do so. Growth requires focus, “Seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness,” and “. . . Brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence, if there is anything praise worthy, think about theses things.”

Growth requires surrender, we must surrender our will to the WILL of Elohim, “not My will but Yours be done,” Yahoshua prayed. Growth requires willingness, just like an alcoholic or drug addict must be willing to seek treatment if they are to get true help, so we must be willing participants in our growth.

In Paul’s prayer for the Colossians he said, “. . . Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of Adonai, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim.” We are a work in progress, i am a work in progress.

He’s still working on me . . .

You are loved,
cj

Kingdom, Power, and Glory

We have come to the final lines of what modern Christianity credits to Adonai’s Prayer; “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” This line however isn’t found in the oldest and most authoritative manuscripts of Matthew’s Gospel. It is found first in the margins of some manuscripts which later crept into the text. Known in theological circles as a Doxology. Defined by Webster: “a usually liturgical expression of praise to God.” So, what do we do with it?

First, lets focus on the words, “For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” we have come full circle really. This expression of praise points back to the opening, “Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed by Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” It certainly does not take away from or change the meaning of the prayer itself. It simply bookends the prayer. But is it wrong?

The idea that we should not add to or take away from Scripture is a real dilemma here. We first have to look at history, try to understand all the facts, and look deep into the intention. Ask the question, does it mean to change what Yahoshua was teaching? The simple answer is, no, it does not. Also, many if not all Bibles today have in the footnotes some mention of this not being in the majority text. So facts, as they are found, are not being hidden.

Here is my takeaway from this: In the grand scheme of things, whether one uses it or not isn’t right or wrong. If one wishes to be a purist in that they believe this was intended as a model or form for prayer, than it should not be used. However, if one takes the understanding that this teaching on prayer was intended as a pattern, than adding to without changing its meaning or substance, is certainly within acceptable limits. i look at this two ways personally, overtime my idea of Yahoshua’s teaching here has evolved from a simple pattern for prayer, to a leveled understanding that it is both, and. Therefore, i use it and i don’t depending on how i am using it. If reciting it from Scripture i have come to leave it out, perhaps making mention depending on the setting. And if in personal prayer, i tend to use it to bring my focus and attention from what i desire to surrendering to the Will of Elohim the Father.

The point of this prayer and the reason Yahoshua taught it in such away i think is revealed in His Prayer found in John 17. Specifically, the ending verses 24-26; “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent Me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” It was Yahoshua’s mission to reveal the heart of the Father, YHWH, to all of creation. In so doing, He separated Himself, a model of complete submission.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Mashiah Yahoshua, who, though He was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Elohim a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore Elohim has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Yahoshua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Yahoshua ha’Mashiah is Adon, to the glory of Elohim the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Ultimately, my hope is that you will take Adonai’s Prayer and make it a regular part of your prayer life. Whether you pray it word for word, or you paraphrase it in a way that doesn’t change it’s context or meaning, allow Yahoshua’s teaching to direct your thoughts and prayers in a way that reflects the heart of the Father.

You are loved,
cj

But deliver us from evil

From the fall of man in the garden, creation has groaned for deliverance and redemption. “And I put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed. He shall crush your head, and you shall crush His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Since this moment in history humanity has only gotten farther from YHWH. “And YHWH saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) It was after this that Elohim flooded the earth. Yet, humanity still fallen, continued its slide. “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens, and make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered over all the face of the earth.” (Genesis 11:4) Notice the pronouns, us, ourselves, we . . . Which go back to the garden; “And the serpent said to the woman, ‘You shall certainly not die. For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

Life since has not changed, as King Solomon writes, “What has been is what shall be, what has been done is what shall be done, and there is none new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) This brings us to the story of deliverance and redemption. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah we have redemption for sin and deliverance from the judgment coming to this present age. This line in Adonai’s prayer, “but deliver us from evil,” has also been translated, “but deliver us from the wicked one.” Some translation say, the evil one, or the devil, all of which certainly capture the intent. We are to look for and seek for our deliverance through YHWH.

Ephesians 2:1-9 says: “And you were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, as also the rest. But YHWH, who is rich in compassion, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sin, made us alive together with Mashiah – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavens in Mashiah Yahoshua, in order to show in the coming ages the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Mashiah Yahoshua. For by grace you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast.”

In a world that indulges in forbidden fruit, that seeks its own, where personal truth trumps the Truth of Elohim, we must seek for deliverance through our deliverer, Yahoshua ha’Mashiah. The devil is prowling around, just looking to devour us, we must stand strong, and endure. As i wrote last time, put on the full armor of Elohim.

“Because of this, take up the complete armor of Elohim, so that you have power to withstand in the wicked day, and having done all to stand. Stand, then, having girded your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace; above all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you shall have power to quench all the burning arrows of the wicked one. Take also the helmet of deliverance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of YWHW, praying at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:13-18

May we honestly seek and pray, “deliver us from evil,” in an increasingly evil world.

You are loved,
cj

And lead us not into temptation

Matthew 6:9-13

Back in 2017 Pope Francis approved a change to the Lord’s Prayer, to be made in the liturgical book which contains guiding texts for mass in the Roman Catholic Church. This specific line, “lead us not into temptation,” was changed to, “do not let us fall into temptation.” His reasoning, the Pope told Italian TV, “It is not a good translation because it speaks of a God who induces temptation. I am the one who falls. It’s not him pushing me into temptation to then see how I have fallen.”

Although, i would agree that Elohim doesn’t tempt us; as James indicates, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by Elohim,’ for Elohim cannot be tempted with evil, and He Himself tempts no one.’” (James 1:13) He certainly allows for it. We can look at many instances of Scripture in which temptation was allowed, Job sticks out immediately, as does the temptation of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah in the wilderness. In Luke we read, “And Yahoshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.” (Luke 4:1-2)

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and Elohim is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

How did Yahoshua deal with the temptations in the wilderness? He answered with the Word of Elohim.

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” (Luke 4:4–Deuteronomy 8:3)

“It is written, ‘You shall worship Adonai your Elohim, and Him only shall you serve.’” (Luke 4:8–Deuteronomy 6:13)

“It is said, You shall not put Yahweh your Elohim to the test.’” (Luke 4:12–Deuteronomy6:16)

Here are the takeaways from Yahoshua’s wilderness temptations: He was filled with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Paul writes to the Romans in chapter 7 about this very struggle. We must be mindful to put on the full armor of Elohim. Ephesians 6:10-18 talks about this in detail but let me highlight two parts.

First, verses 11-12, Paul writes, “Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over the present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” This battle we are facing is a spiritual one and we need to have the Holy Spirit in order to fight.

Second, verse 18, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” The best way to fight is in prayer, constant prayer, praying at all times, “Pray without ceasing,” as we are instructed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. These are the takeaways, we must walk in the Spirit, we must put on the full armor of Elohim, and we must pray without ceasing! It reminds me of Micah 6:8 Act justly, sounds like walking with the spirit, love mercy, sounds a lot like pieces of the armor; and walk humbly with Elohim, looks a lot like praying without ceasing, a whole lot of conversation.

Finally, as Paul wrote to the Philippians; “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because ha’Mashiah Yahoshua has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Elohim in ha’Mashiah Yahoshua.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Press on . . .

You are loved,
cj

As we forgive our debtors

“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.” Matthew 6:14-15

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our sins from us.” (Psalm 103:12) It is a wonderful promise to be forgiven in such away that our sin is removed as far as the east is from the west. We love the idea that Elohim forgives in such away. Oh to have our sins blotted out. “Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.” (Psalm 51:1) Everyone wants to be forgiven, but many do not like to forgive. We desire that our sins be not remembered, but we hold grudges, make lists, remembering the wrongs others have committed. Some would say it is human nature. True, our nature since the garden has been in opposition of our Creator. We are by nature sinners and because of that nature we must desire mercy. Both to receive mercy from the Father and to grant mercy to each other.

This is easier said than done.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” Matthew 18:23-27

As in this parable, the servant desired mercy, begged for it. The king showing mercy forgave the man his debt. We plead for forgiveness from the Father through Yahoshua. We need it because the debt is too great, we will never be able to pay it, only by the grace, and mercy of our Adonai Yahoshua ha’Mashiah do we have forgiveness. This is a fact. And we are instructed to forgive and as Yahoshua teaches His disciples to pray He sets in the foundation a reminder, “As we forgive our debtors.” By our nature we need the reminders, as the parable illustrates, it continues:

“But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.” Matthew 18:28-30

This is our nature. We love forgiveness but find it hard to forgive. But by the empowering of the Spirit of Elohim, it would be impossible. Have you seen the internet lately? What we need in this world is more grace and mercy. Yahoshua, continues with the parable:

“When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.” Matthew 18:31-34

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Mashiah, Elohim forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

The importance of forgiveness from a health standpoint goes without saying. Study after study shows the impact forgiveness has on the heart, and the mind. It is a healthy choice to forgive. But that isn’t the most important reason to forgive, it is in fact most important in forgiveness. As Yahoshua concludes the parable:

“So also My Heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:35

One might ask how many times are we to forgive someone? Peter asked the same thing. In fact the parable i just used above comes directly after Yahoshua answers Peter’s question. Adonai tells Peter, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” The point, a lot. Even when it hurts.

“And they were stoning Stephen as he was calling and saying, ‘Adonai Yahoshua, receive my spirit.’ And kneeling down he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Adonai, do not hold this sin against them.’ And having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:59-60

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as Adonai forgave you.” Colossians 3:13

You are loved,
cj

And forgive us our sin

“If we say that we have no sin, we are misleading ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8

There are many, self proclaimed, good people, in the world. Many who believe they do no wrong or at least wrong that needs forgiveness. However, the Apostle John, thought it so important that he repeats himself on the matter of sin in just a few verses.

“If we say that we have no sin, we are misleading ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is trustworthy and righteous to forgive us the sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

Now, the most famous or most used verse when talking about sin is probably Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Elohim.” The point, there is no one good. Again from Romans 3:10-12 which reiterates Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20 “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks Elohim. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Paul writes to the Ephesians, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.” Ephesians 2:1-3

We all need forgiveness. “When you pray, say, “Our Father . . . Forgive us/me our/my sin . . .”

“But Elohim, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sin, made us alive together with Mashiah—by grace you have been saved…” Ephesians 2:4-5

John the Baptist declared, “Behold, the Lamb of Elohim, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 1 Corinthians 5:21 “Elohim made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of Elohim.”

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

“For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of Elohim, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in ha’Mashiah Yahoshua for good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Here in this instance of Adonai’s prayer He is teaching His disciples to pray. They are following Yahoshua, they are sitting at His feet and receiving instruction. As John the Baptist declared on the waterfront, repent and be baptized. After John’s arrest Yahoshua continued, “Now after John was arrested, Yahoshua came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of Elohim, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of Elohim is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mark 1:14-15) For those first coming to Adonai repentance is key. Not that repentance isn’t necessary for the current follower but the emphasis is on the forgiveness because one assumes that the follower of Yahoshua know’s we cannot continue in sin therefore repentance is assumed. Although a good reminder is never a bad idea. Here in this instance Yahoshua isn’t stressing it as He instructs on prayer as His point was on seeking forgiveness from the Father.

Psalm 51 where David seeks forgiveness for his sin he writes, “Have mercy on me, O Elohim, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so you are right in Your verdict and justified when You judge’ . . . Create in me a pure heart, O Elohim, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ . . . Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, so that sinners will turn back to You.” Psalm 51:1-4, 10, 13

From forgiveness comes gratitude, “‘Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.’ Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ . . . Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.’” Luke 7:47-48, 50

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahoshua ha’Mashiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

The first step in forgiveness is recognizing that you have sin. Forgiveness is available to everyone yet sadly many will never seek it because of their pride, or stubbornness. May we seek for forgiveness.

You are loved,
cj

Give us this day our daily bread

“And the tempter came and said to Him, ‘If you are the Son of Elohim, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But He answered, ‘It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of Elohim.’”’” Matthew 4:3-4

“And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of Yahweh” Deuteronomy 8:3

In order to truly understand this line, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we need to grasp wholly these two passages above. Was Yahoshua speaking of bread or word? Perhaps both. The miracle of the manna from heaven is where we will find our answer, Exodus 16.

“They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin,” (A side note that i find interesting is the location in which the miracle of the bread of heaven is done, a valley called, the Wilderness of Sin or Desert of Sin. And it is brought about as a sign for Israel’s lack of faith and grumbling.) “Which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of YHWH in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” Exodus 16:1-3

Ever heard of the term, hangry? Its definition, hunger that makes one angry or upset, thus the word, hangry. i think it is safe to say that the Israelites were hangry in the Wilderness of Sin. How good is our Elohim? In response to their grumbling He tells Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” Exodus 16:4-5

Isn’t it amazing that the word of Elohim to Moses was that He was sending bread for the people, each day, a day’s portion with exception of the 6th day where a double portion was given so that they had enough for the Sabbath day?! And, that this was being done to test them on whether or not they would walk in His law or not?! Both physical bread, manna and spiritual bread, the Word. i don’t think it is a stretch that every day we should seek our daily need of manna and the Word. Gives us this day, our daily bread, physical and spiritual.

In our present day i believe it is becoming more and more important that we seek our daily spiritual bread through His Word. For there is coming a time, soon, that there will be a famine in the world and it will drive people to fall from Adonai, to deny Yahoshua, we are warned of famines and when we think of famines we instantly think of food. And we hear of things happening around the world to our food supply on a daily bases, let us remember Elohim is faithful, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Yet, this is not what is pressing my spirit in the moment as i have been praying about this post.

Amos 8:11-12 “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares Adon YHWH, ‘when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the Words of Yahweh. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of Yahweh, BUT THEY SHALL NOT FIND IT.’”

Life is not about possessions, it isn’t about fame or fortune, it is about taking up our cross daily and following our Adonai, Yahoshua ha’Mashiah, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim. He was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1-4, 14a

“Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of Elohim is He who comes from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to Him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:32-35

O Father, may we hunger and thirst after Yahoshua ha’Mashiah our Adonai and King; Give us this day our daily bread.

You are loved,
cj